“We are happy that [Whitman] is joining us as a senior consultant. He provides a very valuable client-side perspective having worked in such a senior role at a Fortune 500 company with immense global reach. He's widely respected and we're glad to have him in this role,” said a Burson spokesperson, via email.

The agency declined to comment further on its relationship with Whitman. His LinkedIn profile describes his role at Burson as managing director, US and worldwide.

Previously, Whitman was principal at Bill Whitman & Associates in Chicago for the last year after serving as head of communications for McDonald's in the US since September 2008.

In his career at the fast-food giant, Whitman also worked as senior director of media relations and public affairs and director of corporate communications and media relations. His first role at the company was senior manager of corporate communications and media relations from 1998 to 2002.

He also worked as an account director at Fleishman-Hillard from 1996 to 1998 and director of communications and public affairs at Exxon from 1993 to 1996.